In the coming year, we expect to see more than 100 anti-LGBTQ religious refusal laws proposed across the country. These laws come in many forms, but they all have the same goal—to use religion as an excuse to discriminate against and harm others.

In an important step towards ending violence against trans people, the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus hosted a forum this Tuesday that brought together advocates and community leaders, including Harper Jean Tobin, the Policy Director for the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE).

The Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, lovingly known as HERO, is a ballot proposition being voted on this Tuesday. People of faith across Houston have joined the campaign to make HERO law and protect 15 classes of people currently without vital non discrimination protections in the city.